Kent read, Kent write, Kent State!

 

Close. Try: can't read, can't write, Kent State.

Kent read, Kent write, Kent State!

 

Close. Try: can't read, can't write, Kent State.

Close enough.

Kent read, Kent write, Kent State!

 

Close. Try: can't read, can't write, Kent State.

Close enough.

 

I've always said it the same as well. 

I grabbed some photos of a few of the houses that will be demolished for the esplanade. The loss of the homes is not a great concern to me, but I am really curious how the esplanade will de designed and landscaped; I hope it is not overly apparent that it was just sliced through a neighborhood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I could not tell what was going on with this house; it was lifted off its foundation and temporarily sitting near the esplanade's path.

that was the house of the first women kent state faculty member, i think

That second house.....

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/inkaelin/DSCF4013.jpg

.....looks VERY old (for Ohio, anyway). Its design makes me think it might have been built well before the Civil War. I wonder if it could survive a move or be 'part of' the Esplanade as an historical site -- if it really is as historic as it looks.

^Funny that you mention that...

 

http://kent.patch.com/articles/time-bought-for-house-with-possible-historic-ties-to-kent

If you want a house for $1 it is certainly worth that, but it looks like a disaster, and about as historically in tact as Joan Rivers.

That front doorway is a dead giveaway that the house has historic value.

 

It's shocking to me that a house like that can persevere because I have firsthand knowledge of the interiors of most of those homes. I lived a couple houses down a decade ago while attending Kent State. By and large, the landlords are into minimal maintenance and the tenants are just happy to make rent and not get too many noise violations.

 

With that said, the City of Kent and the people that live there have done little to maintain the historic housing stock. Beautiful early 19 century mill houses just off Depeyster were demolished via eminent domain to make way for the "brick block" office/retail compounds with little opposition. It does not surprise me that these neglected beauties on College and Willow are getting swept up in the college bubble as well.

 

And trust me, the college building boom is the first sign that the bubble is about to burst.

 

(There is allegedly shortage of people with math and science degrees, but there are scores of unemployed Leisure Studies majors from reputable Midwest schools who funneled their tuition money seemingly toward a useless degree but actually into vastly improving campuses [see Kent, Akron, CSU., etc..] for the future gain of the institution and not necessarily themselves.)

 

Don't get me wrong, I find the improvements exciting and fascinating, but when you bulldoze historic homes or buildings, it's just foolish.

That second house.....

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/inkaelin/DSCF4013.jpg

.....looks VERY old (for Ohio, anyway). Its design makes me think it might have been built well before the Civil War. I wonder if it could survive a move or be 'part of' the Esplanade as an historical site -- if it really is as historic as it looks.

My wife's family factors prominently in the history of kent and the house she grew up in which was built by her ancestors was built prior to 1825 and has architectural details that are very similar to that house so I'm sure it's very old.

This is a very good example of a Greek Revival house.  The tell-tale signs are the fold-backs under the eaves, and the asymmetric front (i.e. door on side).  The fold-back are supposed to accentuate the triangular roof outline, and remind viewers of the Parthenon.  Greek Revival architecture was common from about the 1830s until before the Civil War.  The article linked above says the house was built in 1853, so everything checks out.

 

Houses like this are pretty common in New England.  If you follow this link and look at Figure 7, you will see a very similar house in Connecticut:

 

http://historicbuildingsct.com/?page_id=913

 

It's not surprising to find such a house in the Western Reserve, which was pretty heavily influenced by things going on back in Connecticut.

 

Stuart

 

Thanks, Stuart (and ink, and NapsFan!). I suspected the house was pretty old based on its doorway. I also look at foundations and the quarry-cut (as opposed to an assembly line which creates identical blocks) stone block foundation is also an indicator. And that house looks remarkably unaltered, Loretto. Not sure if you were trying to cute, but I think it's worth saving. I also used to live in Kent and wished the city kept more of its historical building stock.

To me it's a no-brainer to make this Greek revival house part of the walkway plan.

 

It could be a bike shop, coffee shop, information center, cafe, etc.

To me it's a no-brainer to make this Greek revival house part of the walkway plan.

 

It could be a bike shop, coffee shop, information center, cafe, etc.

 

That's a good idea. The way it looks now is that it is more of a walkway only. Not really any other site features.

I also like that idea. Now why do we at UO seem to be able to think up these great ideas? Why wasn't this kind of thing included in the Esplanade funding? Historic enhancement funding is available for stuff like this.

To me it's a no-brainer to make this Greek revival house part of the walkway plan.

 

It could be a bike shop, coffee shop, information center, cafe, etc.

 

That's a good idea. The way it looks now is that it is more of a walkway only. Not really any other site features.

 

Hey Yanni, what did you do, check it out after CollegeFest this weekend?  Nah.  You're too old for that now...  Back in 2002 though...

i'll try to take some picks of downtown this week, when its warmer and less windy. brick is going up on the new construction on water street

The walkway plan does look kinda sterile.

 

When we see that house,  it's easy to imagine how its future restoration could enhance the campus, to make it warmer and inviting, like this:

 

To me it's a no-brainer to make this Greek revival house part of the walkway plan.

 

It could be a bike shop, coffee shop, information center, cafe, etc.

 

That's a good idea. The way it looks now is that it is more of a walkway only. Not really any other site features.

 

Hey Yanni, what did you do, check it out after CollegeFest this weekend?  Nah.  You're too old for that now...  Back in 2002 though...

 

Yea, check out that house then hop right over to TC's wing ding house across the street, oh...whoops.

Does anyone know the progress or even feasibility of the new architecture building? I hope this gets done it's desperately needed

Does anyone know the progress or even feasibility of the new architecture building? I hope this gets done it's desperately needed

 

Supposedly the faculty gave suggestions for Architects they wanted, lots of international big names. I don't know if it has moved past that though. I know there was some talk of a new building being mixed in the budget when they were trying to get the $300 mil or whatever it was for upgrades.

^What would happen to Taylor? I sure hope that building is eternally preserved.

^What would happen to Taylor? I sure hope that building is eternally preserved.

Well Taylor Hall can't be touched really without permission from the government since it's a landmark but it HAS to be replaced the architecture classes are spread literally in 4 different places around campus while other majors have classes for their majors in one spot. Taylor hall isn't even exclusive to Architecture majors it is shared with communications, also Taylor Hall lacks a lecture hall which is ridiculous. I feel like even though architecture is one if not Kent's top major we get the short end of the stick so this new architecture building is desperately needed.

^I do not doubt that new/improved architecture facilities are needed (I actually looked at KSU for architecture back in the early 2000's and was not impressed with the facilities), but I do not want to lose Taylor in the process. Hopefully something else can be placed inside.

^What would happen to Taylor? I sure hope that building is eternally preserved.

Well Taylor Hall can't be touched really without permission from the government since it's a landmark but it HAS to be replaced the architecture classes are spread literally in 4 different places around campus while other majors have classes for their majors in one spot. Taylor hall isn't even exclusive to Architecture majors it is shared with communications, also Taylor Hall lacks a lecture hall which is ridiculous. I feel like even though architecture is one if not Kent's top major we get the short end of the stick so this new architecture building is desperately needed.

Agreed, Taylor is absolutely horrible and the architecture department really does get neglected at Kent. They need their own building. Let's hope that it isn't completely horrible though, Kent doesn't have a good record with most of it's architecture (Math and Science building, Liquid Crystal Building...pretty much anything that isn't on front campus). I kinda wish they were still considering moving the program up to Cleveland. At least I think that was the plan several years ago.

 

^I do not doubt that new/improved architecture facilities are needed (I actually looked at KSU for architecture back in the early 2000's and was not impressed with the facilities), but I do not want to lose Taylor in the process. Hopefully something else can be placed inside.

I don't think you have anything to worry about. The May 4th people are very protective of any thing that has to with that event. I mean, have you seen the parking lot? Or the back of the honors college which had to replicate the former hall that stood there?

^What would happen to Taylor? I sure hope that building is eternally preserved.

Well Taylor Hall can't be touched really without permission from the government since it's a landmark but it HAS to be replaced the architecture classes are spread literally in 4 different places around campus while other majors have classes for their majors in one spot. Taylor hall isn't even exclusive to Architecture majors it is shared with communications, also Taylor Hall lacks a lecture hall which is ridiculous. I feel like even though architecture is one if not Kent's top major we get the short end of the stick so this new architecture building is desperately needed.

Agreed, Taylor is absolutely horrible and the architecture department really does get neglected at Kent. They need their own building. Let's hope that it isn't completely horrible though, Kent doesn't have a good record with most of it's architecture (Math and Science building, Liquid Crystal Building...pretty much anything that isn't on front campus). I kinda wish they were still considering moving the program up to Cleveland. At least I think that was the plan several years ago.

 

Yes they do which has me worried about this building because I feel the architecture departments buildings should look inviting and cutting edge with natural lighting for the studios for each major because it really makes a difference when you have a an enclosed working space to one with glass openings because it makes a difference in performance when it comes to this at least for me. I also believe the architecture buildings design should be cutting edge, a design that stands out from the rest and a building that represents the university well

 

Yes they do which has me worried about this building because I feel the architecture departments buildings should look inviting and cutting edge with natural lighting for the studios for each major because it really makes a difference when you have a an enclosed working space to one with glass openings because it makes a difference in performance when it comes to this at least for me. I also believe the architecture buildings design should be cutting edge, a design that stands out from the rest and a building that represents the university well

Maybe something like this (top image)

 

Or this one

 

Maybe not this extreme as far as glass but have enough glass for natural lighting to make the building feel inviting

 

Really the design needs to be something that makes a statement and brings Kent State into the 21st century as far as designs

I like the second/third image (the one with the runners). Not to crazy about the others though. There are a couple of newer buildings at UA, CSU, OSU, and UC that I think would be the perfect style for a new architecture building at Kent State, but I'm too lazy to get pictures to show as examples. :/

I like the second/third image (the one with the runners). Not to crazy about the others though. There are a couple of newer buildings at UA, CSU, OSU, and UC that I think would be the perfect style for a new architecture building at Kent State, but I'm too lazy to get pictures to show as examples. :/

Yeah that's my favorite one as well I actually like this one as well because it has a nice amount of glass while still having different materials involved. (It's from CSU)

My opinion is that Bohlin Cywinski Jackson has the upper hand. Peter Bohlin has spoken at Kent twice in the past decade.

 

http://www.bcj.com/

My opinion is that Bohlin Cywinski Jackson has the upper hand. Peter Bohlin has spoken at Kent twice in the past decade.

 

http://www.bcj.com/

His designs are unique but to me are not fitting for a college campus especially seeing how conservative KSU is with their designs

My opinion is that Bohlin Cywinski Jackson has the upper hand. Peter Bohlin has spoken at Kent twice in the past decade.

 

http://www.bcj.com/

His designs are unique but to me are not fitting for a college campus especially seeing how conservative KSU is with their designs

Academic buildings is their biggest sector.

My opinion is that Bohlin Cywinski Jackson has the upper hand. Peter Bohlin has spoken at Kent twice in the past decade.

 

http://www.bcj.com/

His designs are unique but to me are not fitting for a college campus especially seeing how conservative KSU is with their designs

 

I take it you're not a fan of the Gehry building at Case!

My opinion is that Bohlin Cywinski Jackson has the upper hand. Peter Bohlin has spoken at Kent twice in the past decade.

 

http://www.bcj.com/

His designs are unique but to me are not fitting for a college campus especially seeing how conservative KSU is with their designs

 

I take it you're not a fan of the Gehry building at Case!

It's okay but Kent would never do a design that extravagant is what I'm saying

they tried with the math and computer science building

they tried with the math and computer science building

Didn't turn out to well

final product aside, it is the most recent academic building at kent and it shows they are down to try designs that aren't the mid 60's brick which we see all over campus.

My opinion is that Bohlin Cywinski Jackson has the upper hand. Peter Bohlin has spoken at Kent twice in the past decade.

 

http://www.bcj.com/

His designs are unique but to me are not fitting for a college campus especially seeing how conservative KSU is with their designs

 

I take it you're not a fan of the Gehry building at Case!

What about that design is unique? Gehry only has one design in his portfolio, just edited slightly depending on location.

 

And Whipjaka, I think their failure with the Math and Science building might make them more cautious with anything more "extravagant."

My opinion is that Bohlin Cywinski Jackson has the upper hand. Peter Bohlin has spoken at Kent twice in the past decade.

 

http://www.bcj.com/

His designs are unique but to me are not fitting for a college campus especially seeing how conservative KSU is with their designs

 

I take it you're not a fan of the Gehry building at Case!

What about that design is unique? Gehry only has one design in his portfolio, just edited slightly depending on location.

 

And Whipjaka, I think their failure with the Math and Science building might make them more cautious with anything more "extravagant."

The unique part about the Case building is how the snow slides off the roof onto passerby's on the sidewalk.

 

BCJ is far from over the top, they can appease most people and are fairly timeless designs. I also heard Steven Holl's name thrown in there. Their work is a little more contemporary, but they do a pretty good job of staying away from design that could become dated, like the Zaha Hadid school building mentioned above.

Kent has a ton of projects in the beginning stages right now:

 

Renovations and Additions for the School of Art

Construction Cost: $18.5 million

 

New Building for the College of Applied Engineering, Sustainability and Technology

Construction Cost: $10.0 million

 

New Facility for the College of Architecture and Environmental Design

Construction Cost: $31.0 million

Too bad they're not all downtown, or in the area between the downtown and the west edge of the campus so that downtown and the campus are united!

Maybe something like this (top image)

 

Here is how that project turned out. It has received very good accolades. It was designed by Japanese Architect Fumihiko Maki. It's a good deal bigger though at 163k s.f. The new Arch. building is planned at 120k.

 

 

Maybe something like this (top image)

 

Here is how that project turned out. It has received very good accolades. It was designed by Japanese Architect Fumihiko Maki. It's a good deal bigger though at 163k s.f. The new Arch. building is planned at 120k.

 

 

This is a final design and when is it planned to open?

This is a final design and when is it planned to open?

 

 

No, ha, this is a building at MIT. You had posted a picture of the model saying you liked the building. They haven't selected an Architect for KSU yet.

The RFQ for A/E teams for Kent State's new College of Architecture & Environmental Design Building just got released yesterday. Check out here:  http://ci.oaks.ohio.gov/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=VAdu8eiv-d0%3d&tabid=67

This is a final design and when is it planned to open?

 

 

No, ha, this is a building at MIT. You had posted a picture of the model saying you liked the building. They haven't selected an Architect for KSU yet.

Haha I forgot I posted that it's a nice building though

The RFQ for A/E teams for Kent State's new College of Architecture & Environmental Design Building just got released yesterday. Check out here:  http://ci.oaks.ohio.gov/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=VAdu8eiv-d0%3d&tabid=67

State Funding: $0

progress from the front green while studying for my Spanish final.

2012-08-10_08-25-42_217 by mmurph46, on Flickr

 

2012-08-10_08-25-49_492 by mmurph46, on Flickr

 

2012-08-10_08-25-55_810 by mmurph46, on Flickr

 

2012-08-10_08-26-26_546 by mmurph46, on Flickr

progress from the front green while studying for my Spanish final.

2012-08-10_08-25-42_217 by mmurph46, on Flickr

 

2012-08-10_08-25-49_492 by mmurph46, on Flickr

 

2012-08-10_08-25-55_810 by mmurph46, on Flickr

 

2012-08-10_08-26-26_546 by mmurph46, on Flickr

Possibly the most UNEXCITING project I've seen in a while...all it is is more grass. The upsetting part is they are raising tuition/adding stupid fees for stuff like this